There's no other recreational sport quite as exciting, yet humbling, as whitewater rafting. It's one of those activities that takes the non-adventurous person out of their comfort zone from the moment they step into the raft until the moment they pull the boat safely back to the shore.

The Appalachian Trail is back in the news these days. Some of us have indelible memories of our experiences on the trail. Here's my tale of tracing the entire length of it, years back, in, uh, a rented Geo Prizm.

As cruise ships and theme parks begin to offer visitors more ways to interact with their attractions by using phones and tablets during rides or shows, it has become nearly impossible to find a place for a family vacation where the focus is solely upon relaxation, enjoyment and a genuine break from our hectic lives.

Short of visiting in winter and hiking deep into the backcountry, the parks' popularity can make it tricky to find your own slice of solitude. Tricky, but not impossible. Here are 10 scenic spots you can have all to yourself.

Sometimes it's easy to take for granted how much land there is in America. Sure, it's harder and harder to find places that haven't been explored, but it's also become easier to forget places that we've already been.

This road trip will also deepen your knowledge of American history and geography. The Appalachian Trail passes through 14 states, but the best driving routes are the Skyline Drive in Virginia and the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

As you consider a spring getaway, make sure to take note of one of the country's best-kept secrets, The Blackberry Farm located in East Tennessee. The 4,200-acre private estate is surrounded by lush green scenery, unparalleled luxury, Southern hospitality and gourmet cuisine.

While it's fun and cheap to visit year-round, those who are picky and visit in April or May will be rewarded. Shoulder Season is upon us, and it doesn't get much better than this -- mild weather, empty hiking trails and scene stealing wildflowers are just a few great reasons to visit the Smokies.

It turns out Grizzlies roamed these mountains more than a century ago. The black bears were actually introduced to the region in 1933 and can sometimes be seen lumbering through the neighborhoods foraging for food.

I suspect those who only watch the first few episodes will be teetering on the edge of boredom. Those who stay around longer, or just cherry-pick an episode to watch among the later ones will end up much more excited and satisfied.